Fujifilm has completely abandoned inexpensive point-and-shoots and is concentrating on those areas where smartphones can’t compete – rugged, weatherproof models and mega-zooms.
The FinePix S1 ($499) is a rain- and dust-proof 50x mega-zoom with a range of 24-1200mm and apertures of f/2.8-5.6. It has a 16.4MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS imager, built-in image stabilization, and a maximum burst mode of 10 frames per second (fps). The S1 also has a 3-inch vari-angle LCD, a .2-inch electronic viewfinder, and built-in Wi-Fi.
More rugged but less robust is the new 16.4MP XP70 ($229), a continuation of the XP series camera that are waterproof to 33 feet, shockproof to 5 feet, freeze- and dust-proof. Like most other pocketable rugged cameras, it has a 5x optical zoom (28-140mm) and is available in radical colors (blue, orange, and yellow).
Click here to read more about Fujifilm’s new products announced at CES 2014.